For what it's worth I'm currently commanding the USS Drum with RSRD installed. If nothing else Lurker appears to have done a superb job with the November Philippine Sea scenario. In fact I now have 3 different saved games to allow me to try engaging each of the 3 IJN task forces.

I get the appropriate flash traffice from the correct historic units (the Cavalla and Albacore) and the whole experience is very immersive.

One saved game is engaging the task force as it leaves Tawi Tawi, the second involves the AO's and replenishment tanker convoys west of Guam, and the third (trying this now) is the main force.

Just for the helluvit I tried patroling at the east end of the San Bernardino Strait starting around November 13th. On the 16th I got a sonar contact, and now I appear to be engaging major IJN forces. I'm currently at periscope in the middle of the task force, and have so far spotted 4 fleet carriers, 2 escort carriers, 4 BB's and uncounted CA's CL's and DD's.

I have the external camera enables, and from an altitude of about 1,000 feet the task force appears to go clear to the horizon. Great job on this scenario!

Now I'll probably get my butt depth charged as soon as I shoot. I'll settle for getting one BB or CV, though. And surviving, or course.

nfitzsimmons,

You are exactly were the activity was! The chains of islands and major land masses were the Japanese were taking with impunity. Sounds like fun:up:. Lurker sends you logical places IMO. Flash traffic is great and real. Also, if the area you are in is dead, you are the captain, sail off to find a better place to hunt. The game will not retire you for not completing one area of the patrol. I have done that before. I have never been retired for poor performance. The ships are there, you have to find them.

I just read Clash of the Carriers (an excellent book by the way) and since my career was getting close to that date I decided to see how much of the battle was modded, so I thought I'd look at some of the historic "hot spots." And so far everything is where is should be.

Talk about a target-rich environment... On one of the 3 scenarions I'm playing I got an SD radar contact of a "large convoy." Zooming in on the map it seemed to be two interwoven "convoys" of 20 objects each in formation moving east at about 200 kts.

Finally figured out that these were aircraft, and were part of a carrier-launched air strike against the US task force 58.1.

Plotted a back course for them, went to flank speed and several hours later found the middle IJN TF.

Very nicely scripted.

This is were RSRD comes into play. The major engagements and areas that are target rich that should be target rich.....around the island south of Japan. Keep reading the books and you will see the game plays like the real thing. Days without sightings and then all hell breaks loose. I hope you nail a few:up:

Been playing RSRD since I reinstalled SHIV a coupler of months back. You're right; knowing where the historic events took place means that you'll find targets there. Rabaul, Guam, formosa, and the Bungo Straits leap to mind. I've been quite successful with those locations.

Let's face it, sometimes your patrol will only bag 1 or 2 ships. You are forced home do to fuel or you get whacked by a plane/DC. RSRD is just great compared to the stock traffic. Although the stock traffic is fun every now and then but were is the challenge? There is not much of one really.

RSRDC is essential! I always suggest that you do your first patrol box stock while you read something pertinent such as Blairs', Silent Victory or another book on the topic. When done with the patrol and the book, load up RSRDC and set sail. Its a whole different sim!

Here May 42

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...hlb3/may42.jpg

Here Jan 42

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5.../jan41-42a.jpg

Here Dec 41

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...3/jan41-42.jpg

Looks like heavy traffic to me as it should be in those years. Many a skipper wanted to run that slot from Java up to Celebes because it was busy. Hunt and they will come!

k, those pictures convinced me I need to be more patient. I've loaded up RSRD v15, and am now in Dec. 41. I've run into a minelayer, thinking it was the invasion force hitting Legaspi (see page 133 of "Silent Victory". I was there on the 10th of Dec., and now I'm leaving as it's the 12th--I didn't see the Jap forces that were supposed to invade on the 11th. However, I've been tasked with patrolling another area further south--hoping for the best! (BTW I didn't sink the minelayer--he was manuevering way too much. I need to learn how to hit manuvering targets. The only ones I get are going in straight lines!

i agree with avg warhawk this is a great mod and lurker was at his best while doing this but its not a shooting gallery it invloves patience and its alot of fun too

lt cmdr lare

It's there:smug:

AAAArrrrgggghhhhh :huh: , spoiler pictures. Best mod yet for SH4 . Cheers bro .

Err,yeah, I didn't find them--but they just found me :o

RUN AWAAAAAAY!!!

(sorry, can't resist using a Monty Python classic whenever opportunity arises!)